Kerala on high alert after terror threats(Lead)

Thiruvananthapuram, July 27 (IANS) Streets remained deserted here Sunday evening following media reports that the Karnataka police have received an email that Kerala could be the next terror target. With the media going to town saying that a TV 9 channel reporter in Bangalore had received a telephone call that bombs would go off in Kerala Sunday 7 p.m., the top brass of the Kerala Police went into a huddle and gave orders for strict combing operations.

Director General of Police (DGP) Raman Srivatsava after the meeting of top police officials told reporters that the police are fully geared to meet any situation.

“There is no panic situation and we are doing our duty. High alert will be maintained across the state for the next three days,” said the police chief.

Meanwhile, the police have advised people not to go for night shows of movies in cities like Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode.

Security has also been beefed up at temples like Sabarimala and the Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayoor.

The police are keeping a close watch at all public places, especially railway and bus stations, and have begun checking vehicles at border check posts.

Since the Friday bomb blasts in Bangalore, the state police have been conducting inspections at hotels and lodges and have asked them to inform the police of the nature of the guests who come to take rooms.